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Representing the 8th District of New Jersey

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Stem Cell Research

Jan 10, 2007

Floor Statement

Mr. Chairman,

I rise in support of H.R. 3 and federal stem cell research funding. The Federal Government is behind the times. Many states, including my home state of New Jersey, have already authorized state funding for stem cell research. In fact, just last month I stood next to Governor Corzine as he signed a bill authorizing $270 million for new laboratories and stem cell research facilities throughout New Jersey. The time has come for this Congress and the President to do the same.

On the merits, embryonic stem cell research offers great promise to everyone suffering from a disease or illness. We all know someone or have ourselves been affected by diabetes, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, cancer, or another disease that could be cured or treated with therapies formed from stem cells. Cures and treatments will not be found overnight, but we will never know what could be accomplished if we don't make a real commitment to this research. That is why it is so important that we pass H.R. 3 today.

There are an estimated 100 million Americans waiting for us to take action. They don't believe this is a partisan or political issue. They just want hope for a cure. Let's give them that hope. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3.